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Proposal Anniversary

Eight years ago today, my dear hubby proposed to me. What a day! He was so creative! And so sweet! I’m so glad I said yes!

I should note, the week before this, James would tell me each day that he had stayed up super late the night before. He was so tired when he got off work that he wasn’t very good company. I couldn’t figure out why he would stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning! On the Wednesday before, I had not been able to spend time with James because of so much homework, but I worked hard and got it all done so I could see him Thursday. On Thursday however, James couldn’t come see me and he had no explanation! It turns out he had been meeting with my mom to ask for permission to ask to marry me! When my mom came home, I was crying about James having no time for me. She said she just had to walk away without saying anything 🙂

Now, Monday, January 19, 2004.

I was supposed to meet James at Mount Vernon Christian School where we often met to go on a 4 mile hike around Dike Road. I got there WAY early. I planned to read a book for a while. Sitting in the parking lot was his life-size figure of Mel Gibson in Braveheart, holding a white rose. I sat in the car smiling, expecting him to jump out from somewhere, then I noticed his dad sitting in the van parked next to me, trying to hide while pointing for me to get out of the car and go to Mel! I did. A note attached to the rose said “Forget Mel Go to the church.” (Though I read ‘Forget Me! Go to the church’ at the time). I started across the street to the church which I associated with Mount Vernon Christian School when Jim had to correct me. Wrong Church! I was supposed to go to our church!

I left and got there early. James was working on something out front and was all frazzled that I got there so early. I offered to go home to get my camera, clueless as to what he is doing. I’m glad I had my camera for the few pictures we did get of the evening!.

When I got back to the church, I parked in front. There was a homemade sign hanging from yarn across the front steps. It said, “My love for you is strong and true, Though it may be young in age.” Another little sign pointed for me to go around to the side door, and the yarn went there, too.

I followed the yarn to the side door, then it lead me down the steps to the women’s bathroom. In the bathroom wass a set of clothes that had a special story. (My mom was obviously in on this plan too). I changed into them. The note said to go upstairs.

Then in a skirt, I had to climb up the stairs over the yarn that was zigzagging from one side of the stairs to the other. (James said he planned this so he could hear me coming.) Along the way were more notes on beautifully decorated paper. “Our history though not yet old quickly fills this page.”

“Though filled with hope and wonder…Our future none may see.”

I was still clueless as to what James was planning! In the foyer the yarn ended. I looked down the aisle and there was James on one knee at the end of it, holding a little box. Hanging from the ceiling halfway down the aisle was the final note. “Humbly now I ask Meine Liebe Will you marry me?” (Meine Liebe is my dear or my love in German) .

The Way You Look Tonight was playing over the church speakers.

Of course I said yes, though I was still very much in shock. The ring was perfect.We hugged and swayed to the music. We kissed our first kiss.

James’ mom had made us a lovely dinner of salmon and rice. There was no serving spoon for the rice, however, and neither of us could really serve it with our forks because we were both all shaky! It was delicious, though.

We cleaned up and James rolled the yarn into a ball for me. Later I knit a hat for myself.

We were off to his Grandma’s house for dessert where both of our families were waiting. (He was pretty confident of my answer, wasn’t he?)

We also visited the Gibbons to tell them the news.

On the drive home that night, James’ car broke down. His dad ended up having to get us and take me home before they were able to fix it. (The story of our lives:) )

All that night and the days following, I kept feeling and staring at the ring, hardly believing what was happening. Thank you Jesus for putting it all together!

It wasn’t until months later that I realized that all of the notes went together to make one poem:

My love for you is strong and true, though it may be young in age.
Our history not yet old, quickly fills the page.
Though filled with hope and wonder… Our future none may see.
Humbly now I ask Meine Liebe Will you marry me?

Maybe in 11 days I will write about what happened 11 days later when James got a concussion and forgot everything that had happened in the previous 2 weeks, including proposing to me … 🙂